Home topics finance tax Image Credit: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash Tax Tax Stop making these expensive tax timing mistakes Yajush Gupta September 22, 2025 Tax expert Mark Chapman reveals why thousands of dollars in legitimate deductions go unclaimed each year What’s happening: Australian taxpayers are leaving thousands of dollars unclaimed through missed deductions and poor timing. H&R Block warns that rushing to lodge early can result in incomplete data, while commonly overlooked work expenses remain unclaimed across the country. Why this matters: With sophisticated ATO data matching now standard, taxpayers need strategic approaches to maximise legitimate refunds while avoiding scrutiny. Professional guidance and proper timing can significantly impact final refund amounts without increasing audit risk. Australian taxpayers are leaving significant money on the table each year, with legitimate deductions going unclaimed due to simple oversights and poor record-keeping practices. “Thousands of dollars are left on the table each year because taxpayers miss legitimate deductions,” explains Mark Chapman, Director of Tax Communications at H&R Block. The ATO has highlighted some outrageous deduction attempts, including a mechanic who tried to claim gaming consoles and household appliances as work-related expenses, but the real issue lies in the opposite direction. Chapman identifies the most commonly overlooked claims: “Work-related expenses such as home office running costs, professional subscriptions, union fees, or work-related phone and internet use” are frequently missed. Additionally, “self-education expenses when study directly relates to your current employment, depreciation on tools, equipment, and technology used for work, and donations to registered charities (with